The Cognitive Behavioural Approach to Counselling Therapy.

Can a humanistic model of counselling be integrated with a cognitive (or cognitive – behavioural) one? Discuss with reference to Rogers and either Beck or Egan.

The aim of this assignment is to compare and contrast two theories or theorists of counselling from psychodynamic, humanistic or cognitive behavioural traditions and also to assess their strengths and weaknesses. This essay will focus on exploring the contrasting ideas and approaches of Carl Rogers who is a key figure associated with the person-centered approach and Fritz Perls who developed Gestalt therapy. Although they are both regarded as humanistic counsellors, they share a very different approach when working with clients. I have chosen to analyse these two theorists because of their contrasting styles, in particular my curiosity was sparked after viewing both Perls and Rogers sessions with Gloria. I found it fascinating how such different styles could still be successful in therapy. In particular fritz perls style really grabbed my attention as at first, I was really put off by his seemingly rude demeanour. However, after reading information on gestalt therapy and the ideas behind it I started to understand how it works.

.The theories refer to the principles and theory of how different forms of counselling should work, it

For this essay there will be a critical evaluation of the counselling approaches and skills that are used which can guide the practice of education professionals and benefit relationships with children/ young people in supporting their social and emotional well-being. The approaches that will be looked at and compared are the Person-centred approach and the Psychodynamic approach. The approaches will be discussed and linked to the use in an educational context by teachers with children and young people. The strengths and weaknesses of these approaches will also be examined. It is important for teacher to support children and young people’s social and emotional development right for the start of their educational experiences in the early years. The statutory frame work for the early years published by the department for education in 2014 makes sure that every practitioner follows by law the learning and development requirements of every child. The DFE 2014 suggests educational programs have to include activities and experiences involving the children as suggested: personal social and emotional development entails assisting children to develop an encouraging view of themselves, and others; to make positive relationships and develop respect for others, progress on their social skills and acquire the skill how to deal and control their feelings, to know how to behaviour correctly in groups and to have self confidence in what they can do. From this practitioners can pick up on

“Compare and contrast the different ways the person-centred and cognitive- behavioural approaches to counselling understand and make use of the counselling relationship”

Current literature suggests that the practising of cognitive therapy techniques on oneself is a valuable and useful way to learn about cognitive therapy (Beck, 1995; Padesky & Greenberger, 1995; Padesky, 1996). Padesky (1996, p. 288), for instance has written: ‘‘To fully understand the process of the therapy, there is no substitute for using cognitive therapy methods on oneself “. Beck (1995, p. 312) advises readers ‘‘to gain experience with the basic techniques of cognitive therapy by practising them yourself before doing so with patients . . . trying the techniques yourself allows you to correct

The morning of our third workshop was about counselling children and young people. I had looked forward with interest to this workshop as working with youths was an area I had always wanted to go into. What has drawn me to this field of work was primarily the issues I went through as a teenager myself. My experience of the teenage years was a very lonely one. It was in my teenage years that I began to morph myself into a person I thought I had to be, and not my true self. I worked hard at being in the popular crowd distancing myself from those I deemed would not benefit my social climbing. I built an outer image of being tough, aloof and together. Inside I was scared and insecure, but if the world didn’t see this they couldn’t get in and hurt me and they certainly wouldn’t be able to see the not good enough me. I was also struggling with body image issues I was extremely thin and had received hurtful comments about my weight. I hated my body. I would wear leggings and tights under my trousers to make my legs look fatter. P.E. and swimming filled me with dread as I would have to have more of my body on show. Alongside the problems I was having at school I was also having problems at home. I felt misunderstood by my whole family and with them seeming to be always against me. Home seemed to be a battlefield. I began to self-harm, take dubious risks and playing truant from school.

From the time of the advent of Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory and therapy until now, psychologists have searched for new and better ways to both understand and treat the human psyche. Many psychologists have spent their lives analyzing the complexities of human thought, behavior, and interactions with societal influences in order to find new ways to guide humans towards a more fulfilling human experience. Throughout time, various theories and models of therapy have emerged, each with their strengths and weaknesses in their efforts to help humanity live more fulfilling lives. Psychoanalytic, Adlerian, existential, person-centered, gestalt, behavior, cognitive, cognitive behavior (CBT), reality, feminist, postmodern, and family systems approaches have all made important contributions towards the evolution of psychological theory and therapy. One of the most widely accepted and practiced forms of theory and therapy in today’s world of psychology is CBT. Cognitive-Behavior Therapy has a rich and storied history, contains more inherent strengths than weaknesses, and provides effective treatment for a variety of psychological conditions.

Carl Rogers, Born in Chicago in 1902 as the 4th of 6 children in a strict Fundamentalist Christian household.

In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs there are five levels of desires or basic needs that motivate people described (Fiest & Fiest, 2009, pg. 280). Starting with the most basic needs for survival the levels are physiological, safety, love and belongingness, esteem, and self-actualization (Fiest & Fiest, pg. 280). As one need is met an attempt is made to achieve the next level. If one is able to reach what is known as self-actualization, the highest level, values such as truth, justice, beauty simplicity, individuality, balance, and harmony are usually greatly respected (Fiest & Fiest, pg. 283 and McMinn, 1996). As McMinn points out that these values are extraordinarily like the fruit of the Spirit as described by Paul in Galatians 5:22-23, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. If one has attained

Cognitive therapy, now called cognitive behavioral therapy was developed by Aaron Beck. Beck believed that dysfunctional thought processes and beliefs are responsible for an individual’s behaviors and feelings. He also believed that individuals’ have the ability identify these distorted thoughts and change them to more realistic thinking in order to relieve their psychological discomfort. This type of therapy is designed to be a short-term, straight-forward and structured approach to counseling in which counselors and clients work together. I strongly identify with cognitive behavioral therapy because I believe all behaviors are a result of incorrect thoughts and beliefs. Irrational and negative thinking can influence an individual’s ability to cope and deal with any difficulties they may be experiencing. I also like cognitive behavioral therapy because it briefly includes a client’s historical background in its approach to counseling. I feel that counselors should include a client’s past experiences when trying to understand at what point the client’s incorrect assumptions developed. I believe that everybody in this world always has a choice on how they handle and behave in their given situation and circumstances. In cognitive behavioral therapy, once the counselor and client have identified the irrational thoughts and evaluated whether there is any evidence to its validity, the client has the ability to choose whether or not they desire to change their distorted ways of

The British Association for Counselling’s Code of Ethics and Practice for Counsellors states that ‘Counselling may be concerned with developmental issues, addressing and resolving specific problems, making decisions, coping with crisis, developing personal insight and knowledge, working through feelings of inner conflict or improving relationships with others’ (BACP Ethical Framework).

Eugster (2007) cited that anxious children do not cope well with a disorganized, spontaneous family life style. A regular routine will give a sense of control to both parent and child. Exercise is helpful in relieving stress and helping the child’s body to relax.

This essay is intended to evaluate one therapeutic intervention or theory that may be used in Family therapy. The theory being examined is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or for short CBT. The essay will begin with defining CBT and discussing the underlying principles, techniques and concepts of the approach. Some practical examples and scenarios of utilizing CBT will then be explored. Then the essay will proceed to a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of this therapeutic intervention. Finally a conclusion regarding employing such techniques will be made.